A pastry scraper or board knife-this would help in cutting dough and cleaning up my work surface.

A ravioli stamp would really be cool.

And then how about a deluxe pasta machine with many attachments for lasagna and other noodle types?

What kitchen would be complete without a few cookbooks? I have asquired several really useful books in the last 6 weeks, since starting my blog. Here are the ones I own.

The Complete Italian Cookbook or the Cook’s Encyclopedia of Italian Cooking by Carla Capalbo

The first and second books are one in the same, only the green one is a smaller paperback version. Same recipes and all that but I like having two since they are different sizes. They are loaded with pictures and how-to’s for so many things.

Italian Cuisine by Tony May

This one is the cover of the newest edition but I have a first edition from 1990. This is not really a cookbook as much as a reference book for Italian cuisine. Inside this little text is a ton of information and history of the foods of Italy and the preparations involved. This was written for culinary students so anyone with an intermediate level of cooking skills would be able to easily follow this book. It also contains definitions of Italian cooking terms, extrememly helpful for me!These last two are both enjoyable with stories accompanying the recipes. Lydia has a cooking show on PBS, which I have never seen, and has written numerous cookbooks.

Carol Lawrence is an actress/singer and grew up in an Italian-American family. This book is full of comfort food from her childhood.

I really enjoy your site! I too am in need of a ravioli cutter/sealer- where did you end up getting yours?
I also loved your post about weekly family dinners with china and all- we try to do the same in my family. Spaghetti and meatballs at Nana’s- even though she is now 79 and I have a toddler of my own! It’s wonderful to reconnect and laugh after a busy week over great food! :)

Post navigation

Welcome!

My name is Michelle and I am an Italian-American. My grandparents came to the USA in the 1920's from Campolieto, a small village outside of Campobasso in the Molise region.

With them they brought the tradition of the Sunday family dinner. I am on a journey to do the same with my growing family now that I am a "nonna".

I am a cooking instructor, foodie and food snob all rolled into one. One of the best praises I often get from class participants is "you should open your own Italian restaurant". I guess it can be a dream of mine but so is visiting Italy in the next few years.

I hope you enjoy your visit here, find a few good recipes and come back for more. Thanks for stopping by.

I can be reached by email or leaving a comment. micie66@yahoo(dot)com .

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.